MANKATO, Minn. Jason Castro Jersey . - Captain Munnerlyn started his first training camp with the Minnesota Vikings away from the action and on the sideline, placed on the physically unable to perform list so he could work his way through a minor hamstring injury. Make no mistake, though. Munnerlyn will play the most prominent role in this teams young secondary. "Im definitely a leadership kind of guy," he said. "My names Captain!" Drafting Teddy Bridgewater was the off-season move by the Vikings that created the biggest stir, given their decade-long quest to establish a long-term solution at quarterback. Signing Munnerlyn in free agency was the most important acquisition in the meantime, however. This is a defence that allowed an average of 30 points per game last year, the most in the league, and the root of the problem was at cornerback. The Vikings abruptly dumped veteran Antoine Winfield to save space under the salary cap, and again declined to bring him back once the season started so they could add quarterback Josh Freeman. They lost not only their emotional compass, but pound for pound their best tackler. Winfields skill at playing the slot position against formations of three or more wide receivers was a stabilizing force for the group while others had their ups and downs at the outside spots. Josh Robinson was asked to learn slot coverage on the fly and failed at it often. Xavier Rhodes emerged during his rookie year as a promising building block, but he was still raw and was frequently injured. Chris Cook had another unproductive season and was not brought back. The rest of the depth chart was, to put it diplomatically, mixed and matched. Now with Munnerlyn in the fold and a scheme change under new coach Mike Zimmer, the Vikings are banking on far better performances from their defensive backs. "We want no uncontested throws, so we want to be right up there on the receivers and limit those windows those quarterbacks have to throw it," defensive co-ordinator George Edwards said. Munnerlyn is tied with Charles Tillman for the most interception return touchdowns over the past four seasons, with five. He was credited last year with a career-high 13 pass breakups and 86 tackles. With Rhodes entrenched at one spot, Robinson is in line to start at the other outside spot with Munnerlyn in the middle. Shaun Prater, Derek Cox and Marcus Sherels are the other returners in competition, and draft picks Jabari Price and Kendall James are also under consideration. But while the evolution of NFL offences has dictated the nickel defence to be used almost as often as the base alignment, there will be plenty of plays when only two cornerbacks are on the field. Munnerlyn doesnt plan on being on the sideline for those. "Im never going to sell myself short in being just a nickel. I feel like Im a starting corner," he said. "I can be that guy on the outside. Yeah, I think its a job up for grabs, and if a jobs up for grabs Im going to win it." Munnerlyn was attracted to Minnesota largely because of Zimmer and his preference to play physical, pressing coverage at the line of scrimmage. That fits his style well. "Thats something I pride myself on, not letting my guy catch the ball," Munnerlyn said. The Vikings will need a lot of that from Munnerlyn to improve upon their greatest weakness of 2013. "Ive been happy with him. Hes very, very competitive. He likes to talk a lot on the field, so weve got to keep him reined in a little bit," Zimmer said. "But thats better than having to go the other way." Kennys Vargas Jersey . No surprise there. Kershaw, who also earned the title after throwing his first career no-hitter in June, had a 1. Minnesota Twins Jerseys . He still wanted out. "It just seemed like the direction they were going didnt fit what I thought my career was going to be," Kesler said. "At the end of the day I want to win a championship and I want to win it now, and four years is a little too long for me. http://www.twinsrookiestore.com/Twins-Eduardo-Escobar-Kids-Jersey/ . -- Theres something about playing on Orlandos floor lately that seems to bring out the best in the Dallas Mavericks.DENVER - Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson will miss the game Friday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers with a sore left ankle.The team announced the injury shortly before the opening tip. Naate Robinson will start in his place. Byron Buxton Jersey. The speedy Lawson was hampered in the preseason by a balky hamstring. Hes averaging 12.5 points and 7.8 assists this season. ' ' '